Updated on: November 12, 2025 | 05:19 PM IST

Gurugram: In the wake of the recent Red Fort car blast in Delhi that killed at least 10 people, the Gurugram police have issued an advisory directing housing societies, house owners, and paying guest (PG) accommodations to submit details of residents from Jammu and Kashmir as well as foreign nationals staying with them. The move is part of a security verification drive ahead of New Year and Republic Day celebrations, officials said.

The order, confirmed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Vishnu Prasad, aims to verify the duration of stay and identities of residents from certain regions and foreign nationals. “We are inquiring about who has come from where and for how long they have been staying here. This includes people from Jammu and Kashmir as well as foreigners. It is purely for security purposes and is a routine check,” Prasad explained.

Legal Basis and Duration

The directive follows an order issued by District Magistrate Ajay Kumar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which instructs all guest houses, PGs, hotels, and house owners to maintain a register of tenants and visitors, along with photocopies of their ID proofs. The order will remain in force until January 31, 2026, covering both the winter holiday period and Republic Day.

Concerns Over Profiling

While authorities describe the exercise as a precautionary security measure, several residents expressed concerns over its selective nature.

Sana Khan, a resident of Sector 56, said, “This kind of order might create unnecessary suspicion towards people from certain regions. We all want security, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of profiling an entire community. The focus should be on suspicious behaviour, not identity.”

Rohit Bansal from Sector 83 described the drive as “reactionary.” “These checks happen every time there’s an incident in Delhi. The police suddenly show up, collect names, then disappear. It creates fear but rarely brings any visible security improvement. What we need is better intelligence coordination, not selective listing,” he added.

Authorities Defend the Measure

Defending the directive, DM Kumar emphasized that the drive is part of a coordinated security plan ahead of national celebrations. “This is a precautionary step, not a profiling exercise. Gurugram is a cosmopolitan city, and our intent is only to ensure safety for everyone through structured verification,” he said.

Police officers also clarified that the drive would include PG accommodations and foreign students staying in private apartments. ACP Prasad urged residents to cooperate: “The idea is to build a security net that prevents potential misuse of rented premises.”

Context and Broader Security Measures

The directive comes amid heightened security alerts across the NCR following the Red Fort blast and the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s crackdown on a suspected interstate terror network. Authorities are closely monitoring movement patterns of residents from sensitive regions to prevent any potential threats.

Residents, while supportive of general security measures, hope that the process remains transparent and sensitive. “Security is everyone’s concern,” said Khan. “But it must never divide the city it seeks to protect.”

As the verification drive continues, Gurugram police officials have reiterated that the exercise is a routine preventive step, not a discriminatory measure, and residents are encouraged to provide accurate information to help strengthen city-wide security networks.